New hotel plans for Liverpool’s distinctive Bling Bling Building

Liverpool’s unique Bling Bling Building on Hanover Street could become a hotel under new plans.

Proposals submitted to Liverpool City Council by a property developer and hotel group include a bar and restaurant and roof extension.

Signature Living (SL), the building’s owner, was awarded full planning permission in 2017 for the change of use of the building to include a bar/restaurant on the ground floor, with a hair salon and office space above.

Since the local authority granted approval for the original proposals, the hair salon on the first floor has closed.

According to a planning document included with a new application from the Liverpool-based firm, the “commercial decision” has been taken to repurpose the building to form a hotel with associated bar and restaurant.

The document adds: “Externally, the remodelling of the building will not vary from that approved under the previous consent.

“The current proposals again look for permission to extend on the existing roof, through a lightweight glass structure.”

Drawings submitted alongside the application show a total of 10 multi-occupancy rooms as well as a rooftop bar.

SL, led by Lawrence Kenwright, purchased the former hair salon two years ago following the death of celebrity hairdresser Herbert Howe in 2016.

Architect Piers Gough, who designed the building, wanted the structure to reflect Herbert’s personality – a man he dubbed “The King of Bling”.